What was and what is. The story of Marines It is the story of the sale of the Dénia landscape, of the victory of the brick and of decisions that decades later we came to regret.
The north coast of the city always bustles with life in summer. In winter it is another story, but between July and August it is the constant flow of people from which everyone who knows him and can avoid the area flees. It is impassable. To venture onto the Les Marines road, you have to be patient, as traffic is heavier by the hour than at any other point in the municipal area.
In the past, as Maite Madrid well mentions in her recommended podcast Denia, A trip to the pastFrom the north coast only carriages used the Camí de Gandia and its many inns, some of them converted into restaurants, to rest. It was about an area devoted mostly to cultivation, where some manor house of the bourgeoisie of the time slipped between large orange plantations.
The two 'booms'
However, with the tandem of tree second half of the last century and the tree real estate, that agrarian and green landscape gave way to the gray of the cement. And, especially, the asphalt.
The creation of the Les Marines road was a turning point in the area, leading to a construction boom. In addition, it served to delimit the areas of interest to urban investors. All the land that was between the road and the sea was in his sights. What was left inland was not so much anymore, so there are still some little-built spaces that look almost identical to a century ago.
Between the asphalt of Les Marines and the sand of the beaches It's all sold, you could say. And not only private houses were made. The current of use of the land to exploit it to the maximum with the creation of multiple houses, be they developments or apartments, was the one that forever transformed the landscape of the coast. In 1968 even a ten-height was allowed, being the tallest building on the north coast.
an asphalt border
It is clear that the construction money was irresistible, and the current economic model of the city is largely due to this, but the lack of limits at that time led to Dénia losing the essence of its coast.
But, to what limit could one resort? The one already built and where hundreds of vehicles circulate daily, the road to Les Marines, would have been a fantastic one. What if it had only been allowed to build from the road inland? The first line would still exist for those who need to be in front of the second line, but it would be several meters further from the beach. Ahead would only be the road, the marshes, the groves or agricultural land, and now the beach. A decision that seems small but would have completely changed the landscape of the city.
Anyway, now this is the coast that we have in Dénia. There are still loopholes of what was. A clear example is the Camí de Gandia, mostly surrounded by orange trees. Its parallel and younger companion, the Les Marines road, has little to do with it. It is another city, born to connect thousands of people with the beach and Dénia, without knowing anything about giving shelter and rest to travelers on their long journeys between towns.
Tourism is needed.
Worse has been the "boom" of the Montgo.
Compromis hump a lot:
Imposition of the Valencian, deaf ears to complaints...
The PP two quarters of the same:
All sports, privatization (such as the lack of a free bus to the Marinas, Las Rotas and the Hospital) and bad spending of money on projects (the “Artistics” center).
This proves a saying:
In Spain there are too many Nationals (PP and Compromis) and there are not enough Socialists (Sumar)
A lot of hype from Denia but it's a shame I've been spending the summer for 25 years and everything is increasingly deteriorated and the cleanliness of the streets, how can Marqués de Campos street be so dirty, for example. Where do the taxes go? We all have homes there, For example, the one for garbage is paid 140 euros for each house: what do they do with that money where it goes to stop and then public transport, the buses that run through the city, especially the one to the marinas, it is a real shame that the city council does nothing you're welcome like everything, I hope all this is resolved soon
Psoe or Comoromis rules here, don't wait any longer, those of Uncle Berni, those of you are, a lot of taxes are paid and everything is dirty, poorly built, poorly planned, scrapped roads, sidewalks that are almost better without them, there is no bike lane and the little existing broken and so endlessly. That if, ibi and rubbish at the moral level with services from Kenya. Socialist management sinks everything they touch, but they continue to win because the clientekar network that lives on little payments and subsidies is very large and they have all the media at their side.
How much could have been done with the 67000 million that Tito Mariano stole from the town for his friends?
Long live tourism! Luckily, from the city council they are focusing everything in a different way and have learned from their mistakes. Oh no! It is true, that everything remains the same and nothing has changed, the same and more serious errors are still there and the city council continues to promote tourism and does not know how to do anything else
town hall =infotourist
I've had several responses to my comments and some won't let me respond further so I'm responding here.
1.- I know in my own flesh that agriculture is very hard. I have seen the orange fall, lose pasta, and now we are in the process of doing other things. They tell me to take the hoe and I need to sleep hugging it.
2.- I know that two thirds of the land in Denia, two thirds! They are agricultural land. Does anyone really think that all that land can be turned into apartments? Is that realistic? It is unsustainable for all purposes and there are not so many kilometers of beach for so many people.
3.- I know that we all have the habit of eating two or three times a day. Who thinks that the import of products from Morocco or South Africa will be eternal? And what about agriculture based on inputs that come from the Ukraine or Morocco and is sustained by an increasingly expensive diesel?
4.- I know that the money collected from tourism has NOT had an impact on a better quality of life in the region, and all the data from years ago says so. We are leaders in structural unemployment, submerged economy or child poverty in the Valencian Community. That is the reality, with data in hand, of the tourism business. Someone has made a lot of money, but that has not affected the region.
5.- I know that all the tourist consultants are already pointing out that many tourists are going to destinations further north due to the rising temperatures
If we are realistic, it is possible that the hectares foreseen in the general plan will be urbanized in 25-30 years. But only that would mean that 20.000 more inhabitants? 10.000 more apartments? Seasonal population of 300.000…? If that's what you want, it's doable.
BUT what do we do with agricultural land? Do we throw it away or do we try to make it a productive axis?
Orange monoculture cannot be repeated, it is ruin. But short-cycle agricultural models can be made.
They say that I live in the worlds of Yupi… maybe yes. But in what world do you live who think that Denia has the capacity for much more tourism or that we will always be able to bring food from outside? In Espinete's?
Give me data and do not disqualify. I debate with you.
For people to move to live in another area, it is essential that there be jobs, infrastructures and public services. 10.000 more "homes"? No, it's all for tourist speculation. Let's not call it "homes".
In accordance
How right he is.
I also think that we must diversify in business models, be it agriculture, be it fishing, be it seasonal or permanent tourism. It's not that difficult to understand either.
Politicians are the problem.
Politicians are NOT the solution.
True but they are not politicians, they are climbers involved in public institutions for their own benefit. And they are voted so that they can do it. With our votes we choose who is the next to profit.
The qualifications of rural, agricultural and urban land are very interesting,... which from the Denia town hall over many years have been qualifying and disqualifying according to who was the owner. Before, the Les Marines road reached the Las Arenas spa, and Blai Beach, when the extension of the road as we know it today was built, it crossed agricultural land, which was changed to developable when the farmer gave it to him. sold to a construction or real estate company. It was Franco's time, but this practice has continued over time.
And after several years away, I have been struck by the destruction, including felling of trees, which is taking place in Les Rotes, which, because it is a pre-natural park area, was prohibited even from picking a sprig of thyme. Now is the time to cement Les Rotes? Well, be careful with the road, which is a mousetrap in case of emergency evacuation.
And
Millions of taxes in capital gains, assignment, rates and VAT where are they? The infrastructure is the same 30 years ago
This is the great misfortune. In Norway, with oil, they invested in infrastructure and services. Here with this "boom" four cats benefited, the rest condemned to seasonality
Perhaps because in Norway they understand the construction of a society, the collective good and the management of resources for the increase of social wealth, infrastructures and quality of life.
All this political "Creeps" here are unaware and the majority of the electorate too. That is why they vote what they vote and "the climbers" take advantage of the ignorance of the people. They have no idea.
The agricultural world was far from idyllic. But reading at this point in the film that tourism "gives money" is embarrassing. The Marina Alta is one of the most impoverished regions of the Valencian Community and this is the cause of the model. A precarious, seasonal economy, with jobs in B, underground economy. Ask for "more destruction of the coastline" for what exactly? We have an ASSET, two thirds of agricultural land over the total. We have to work to make them productive by learning from mistakes. What has been done in Denia is BARBARIOUS with which only a few have made money
"Work to make them productive"
The idea sounds great to me.
But we do not need toasts to the sun, but concrete actions.
A dose of reality.
I bet that whoever writes does not understand much about agriculture.
I know the area well and the deterioration due to the abandonment of the lands, which have ceased to be profitable, is going at an accelerated pace. And it's not just that they are left uncultivated, it's that they don't even clean the land anymore, easy grass for fire as happened last summer.
And yes, fortunately tourism brings money, although some seem to resent the idea.
Of course I know agriculture. They are not free words. And I know what it's like to lose EVERYTHING with orange. Not something, no, EVERYTHING. And that has its analysis and its context.
If tourism had been beneficial, why are we the worst in all the well-being or poverty rankings?
Realistic and concrete proposals?
agricultural tourism. Let them pay for the experience of working those Fields. There are foreigners, very stressed and bored in their countries, who would do it. Free labor and on top of that they pay to do it.
ECO- BIO- VEGAN tourism. And to work Fields. They will be happy to do it, today they pay for anything.
Come on Antonio, grab the hoe and work. Let's see how long you last.
I start with how innocent it can be.
That said, they live in the world of Yupi. Tourists are idiots and will pay to come work in the fields.
With these ideas, this is how we go…
Javier, don't you get irony and sarcasm? With this short mentality, that's how it goes. You only know how to complain and you vote for them again. You vote for the climbers you know perfectly well and then you complain about what they do.
In addition, Javier, they are already selling tourist visits to the disaster of the fires in the Vall d'Ebo and there are people who pay to visit charred fields. Who is the innocent here? Who are the idiots?
I hoe every day, Pere. Let's see if you give it
This type of article well illustrates the ignorance of the writer.
Outdated romanticism and praise of poverty.
“Impassable” traffic on the Carretera de las Marinas. It is noticeable that the journalist has traveled little...
How beautiful the virgin beaches and the green fields, of course they are.
And that nobody can enjoy the wonderful beaches of Denia. Because for that you would have to build parking lots nearby, right? Ah no, now we are all going to go by bike. With the grandmother. And with the fridge, you have to hydrate (because you don't have to put beach bars either, I suppose). And the child's cart. Or neither, apparently the world of Yupi they want to take us to is only for young people in good health.
And those "protected" fields, who takes care of them? Because you don't have to allow houses to be built in the orchards, right? Hence the ban on building a house if they do not have at least 10.000 m. And that's when they get permission after years of useless spending and patience. Well, nothing, let the farmer also come by bike.
Obviously you have to avoid destroying the coastline. But it can be managed with common sense. More than management, I would talk about the use of the coastline, which is Denia's greatest economic resource, or do local journalists not understand where the money comes from?
And of course we have to protect agricultural land. But this happens by promoting its cultivation, not by making life impossible for its owners. Not to say that agricultural lands are "protected", such as the Pla de Denia or the rustic lands that remain between the Las Marinas highway and the Gandía road, which in their day were developable, with use limitations that inexorably lead to his abandonment.
The key is the reasonable use of resources, but politicians have long since lost their reason.
TOURISM IS THE PLAGUE
Note that Ramón lives off the story. Surely I am not mistaken that he is a director of some social beach bar paid with our taxes
And if you have a profession that does not depend on Tourism? There are many professions outside the tourism sector that are not part of the public sector either. Is this strange to you? Well, that is the true economic engine of a country.
In the 50s, and it looks good in the photo, the orange boom had not yet begun in this area. The land was orchards or vineyards, which needed little water and caused several areas to be flooded for months by the rains. The orange trees and their great need for water will waste the water reserves and that is why today up to 1 km from the shore the groundwater has salt. As the land is small for agriculture and we waste water for decades, it is no longer profitable to grow orange trees or any of the other species such as avocados that need the same amount of water and a large part of the land is abandoned and there are more and more owners that spoil them.
The economy and society have changed and to think that it would be possible to continue with the subsistence agriculture that was that of the 50s here in the area is nothing more than a romantic dream. Denia's recent past and its future are tourism, the only profitable industry in these lands. What would be good is that those of the City Council understand it and promote urban policies that allow the owners of these lands to value them, otherwise what we will have is concrete on the one hand and abandoned bushes on the other.
The massive cultivation of orange trees was a mistake, but we cannot change this monoculture for a worse one, such as tourism, which has only generated a subsistence economy.